Couldn't Cheat Death

The Paul Monroe Mystery Series, Book 1

By: A. P. Eisen

Narrated by: Kale Williams

Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Detective Paul Monroe has little room in his life for anything but work. Maintaining order and solving cases in the town of Thornwood Park keeps him busy. When Jerry Gregoria, a popular bartender and personal trainer is found murdered, there’s no shortage of suspects. It seems Jerry was busy shaking more than cocktails all over town, leaving Paul and his partner with an ever-growing list of men and women who have reasons to want Jerry dead. The deeper Paul delves into the case, the more he finds himself drawn to hotel manager Cliff Baxter, whom he hasn’t seen in years.
 

Cliff Baxter’s childhood crush on Paul Monroe hasn’t waned since high school. In fact, with the sexy detective conducting the investigation at the hotel, Cliff is more than happy to help. Ever since his last relationship went up in flames, Cliff has made it a rule to never get involved with a closeted man. But after Paul is threatened and things between the two heat up, Cliff decides to make an exception.
 

With new twists in the case popping up every day and the mayor breathing down the police department’s neck, Paul needs to solve the case yesterday. It takes a crisis for Paul and Cliff to realize what started out as something casual could be everything they’ve both been looking for but never thought to find. But if the killer strikes again, they might never get that chance.

©2019 A.P. Eisen (P)2019 A.P. Eisen

Couldn’t Cheat Death

I picked up this audiobook the other day because the narrator posted about it and I’m so glad I did! this is the first time I’ve read anything by this author and it was a great way to start. I really liked the characters and the mystery was well done. I knew who the murderer was fairly early in the story but I still enjoyed the story! I can’t wait to listen to the next one!

And Detective became the victim of this love spell

One word: THAT is how you write a “murder mystery”. 😉❤️ I admit that my first interest in this book was because it was narrated by Kale Williams and you guys already know I love his narration. 😁 But my interest increased by double when I read the blurb. I knew I was just going to love our hero Detective Paul Monroe and oh boy, was I right!?! 😏😍 I freaking can’t believe this is a debut novel. 😳😱 It’s just soooooo good! 💜

To say that Detective Paul Monroe is a workaholic would be such an understatement. After all, he didn’t get the nick name bulldog by doing half arse jobs. When there’s a brutal, gruesome murder at a popular hotel in Thornwood Park, Paul and his partner has to scour and interview every potential suspect at the hotel. And cute and charming Cliff Baxter, hotel manager, has been more than helpful. Cliff has always had a crush on his best friend’s older brother Paul since they were in school. And now to meet his first love again more handsome and hotter than ever after so many years, Cliff is of course ready to assist Paul in “whatever” ways he needs. 😉 As these two gets to know each other more and more, the attraction and instant connection between them also becomes undeniably stronger. But Paul is in the closet and Cliff has sworn never again to date men who will keep him as a dirty little secret. But they have a bigger problem at hand than their love problems. They killer is on the loose and stirring terror in everyone’s mind. Now Paul has to catch the killer and convince Cliff to give him a chance at the same time before it becomes too late.

I loved reading somewhat grumpy and lonely Paul’s character. ❤️ It’s not even the consequences of coming out he’s afraid. He has just become used to the monotonous, lonely life of being a man on the force and become somewhat jaded over the years. And to balance him with an energetic, charming and kind Cliff Baxter, it was such a perfect match. 😍 I loved the slow and sensual romance between these two imperfectly perfect men. And I also genuinely liked the murder mystery aspect of it. Boy, until like 80%, I had no idea who is the killer. 😅 So many potential suspects and the investigation going on at the hotel and the police station was just fascinating and engaging. To learn and get the glimpses of the lives of so many fascinating characters, it was definitely a job well done. 👏 And the ending, omg, it was thrilling, exciting and simply amazing. Loved everything about it. I am so impressed with A.P. Eisen’s talented writing because if I didn’t know, I would have never thought this was a debut novel. A job very well done Miss Eisen. 👏 And Kale Williams did a spectacular job narrating this story as always. 🥰 His wonderful narration definitely added an extra depth to my enjoyment of the story. 👏 I really can’t wait for the second book of this series. I want to see more of Paul and Cliff and the journey to an EPIC HEA and I’m intrigued what kind of thrilling, exciting crimes Paul has to solve next. 😉 Recommended to anyone who loves murder mysteries with a healthy dose of romance. 💜😘

5 And Detective became the victim of this love spell stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️




Audio rating

Story- 4.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance- 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An amazing start to a new series!

This is book 1 in the Paul Monroe Mysteries and what an amazing start to this series!

This book was highly compelling and interesting.
I loved how the author focused on the mystery and the case as well as a potential brewing romance.

The storyline and plot was engaging and the characters were well fleshed out.

Definitely looking forward to reading more in this series.

The narration and audio delivery suited the tone of this story.

Couldn’t cheat life

Kale Williams as always, a great narrator but that is because A.P. Eisen, who is new to me gave him a good story line to work with.
A sad story behind the crime and a interesting murder victim, made you want to get to the bottom of things.
Then you have Paul and Cliff who chose to live whereas the murderer chose to take a life and narrowed the very options they were seeking.
I have already bought book 2 to see where Paul and Cliff will take things but also because I trust Eisen to give us another good crime story.

Engaging

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Truly. However, my only issue is subject research - i.e. police procedures, warrants, HR policies. A little research adds to believability. I love that there's romance but not overdone. It's just enough. I look forward to the rest of the series.

Really Disappointing

I read the great reviews and was really looking forward to a good mystery series.... I am really disappointed.

I don't really understand the good reviews because in my opinion Kale Williams made a very simple "mystery" into a very bland and boring story. I have listened to several books by this author that I have enjoyed and I have listened to a few books that Kale Williams has narrated very well but somehow this just was the worst example for both of them or just a bad fit all around.

The best I can say is the writing was not horrible and the narration was listenable even if it put me to sleep several times.

Cannot recommend this book for any reason.

Fantastic!!

This is the beginning of a fantastic new series!! Paul is a detective working a murder at the ritzy hotel that Cliff manages. Once upon a time Cliff was Paul’s younger brothers’ best friend and had a huge crush on Paul. This had everything…murder, mystery, light angst, love, and romance. These two were perfectly matched, so good together. I loved how they were open with each other and did not really try to hide anything from each other. This was a phenomenal story line, unlike anything else I have read. So many feels, this story had all of them imaginable. Kale Williams did a fantastic job with the narration! Fantastic job!!

A great murder mystery!

I loved everything about this book, it’s the perfect mix between the mystery, with the ongoing investigation about a bartender murder, and the blossoming romance between broody Detective Paul Monroe and Cliff Baxter, the manager of the hotel where the deceased bartender worked.
I loved both characters, Paul, the broody Detective, hardened by life, the premature loss of his brother and the constant contact with death. He’s not out and has never been in a relationship, but something in Cliff makes him want to try…
Cliff is an interesting character; he is quite settled and content in his life as a manager of a chain hotel. He’s out and proud, and has sworn off closet cases after two bad break ups. Maybe he is not so content though, as he readily embarks in the investigation, helping the Detectives at every possible chance and putting hiss heart on the line with closeted Paul.

A really good HFN, and I am very happy that I have book two already waiting for me, because I can’t wait to read more!!!

Kale Williams did a very good job with the narration: it’s engaging, the voices are easily distinguishable and it keeps you hooked!

Mystery Awaits

I really enjoyed this mystery and romance! I did a read/listen combination of this story because I didn’t want to put it down, and I needed to work too! Kale Williams did a great job of reading this story. His narration of Detective Paul Monroe and Cliff was spot on for me as I already had a sense of their voices in my head from reading first. From the beginning you’re thrown into a brazen murder, and an old connection. The murder of Jerry really kept me on my toes of who it could be. Let me tell you, as Detective Paul Monroe conducted his interviews, it felt like it could have been every one of those suspects! As you learned more about Jerry’s past, and how he treated the people in it, you became suspicious of everyone Paul interviewed! Jerry was a bit of a scoundrel! The whodunit of this mystery definitely kept me invested in the story. That connection I mentioned? Cliff’s first childhood love was Paul; unbeknownst to Paul. Cliff’s older brother was Paul’s friend growing up. I loved Paul’s somewhat grumpy and gruff exterior, he really portrayed the Detective role so much for me. I loved Cliff’s upbeat and energetic self, he seemed to find joy in the small things. I really felt the chemistry between them, and their growing feelings for each other. I found myself rooting for Paul to step outside the comfort zone of his life, and claim Cliff. While closeted Paul wasn’t worried about the people in his life not understanding, but he didn’t want to rock the boat of his predictable life. In turn, as much as Cliff cared for Paul he didn’t want to be with another man that wanted to hide him! This was a fantastic mystery and romance, and I definitely want to find out what is next for Detective Paul Monroe!

fantastic and fast police romance

I really enjoyed this quick murder mystery. Characters were enjoyable and the pacing was excellent. narration quite good.

Bland, clunky, awful writing

According to Goodreads, this book is by Felice Stevens writing as A.P Eisen. I love Kale Williams as a narrator but even he couldn't save this turkey for me. The writing was bland, clunky and seemed to copy every detective novel cliché. It was mindnumbingly boring. I expected better from an established popular author and so cannot recommend this book. I have no idea why this book is getting decent reviews. Some readers and listeners are so cliquey that their taste and objectivity goes out of the window. Don't make the same mistake as me and choose this based on the super talented narrator!

Banged up - they certainly were

Tongue in cheek cop drama; but whose tongue in who's cheek?

Unexpectedly humourous investigation of a homicide. Whilst all the genre boxes are ticked: chiseled chins, slick suits. concealed weapons, investigations. Underneath is a warm, funny romp of the goings on at large convention hotel in a small town, where a one-man sex machine is murdered, the cops have to interview the vast array of suspects it turns out victim was servicing, and the relationship developing between the lead cop and the hotel manager becomes hands-on.

No HEA in this book, but threads tied nicely, leading into Book 2.

Amusing read, especially as I was expecting a serious cop thriller lol.

Love it

I love this audiobook!! Paul is a Detective who is working in a murder in the parking lot of a Hotel, He is gay and so far in the closeted and never wants to come out while investigating the crime he meets Cliff who is the manager of the Hotel, he knows who Paul is, He was Paul’s younger brother best friend and have a crush on him. This book is great have everything you want in a book, a mystery, murder, low angst and slow romance. These two have a great chemistry and are perfect for each other. I can put it down until I finish and and I want more!!! It’s a well written story and very entertaining, Kale Williams did a great job narrating this book, I like his voice and how the characters sound,I highly recommend this audiobook !! I’m looking forward to read the next audio in this series!

Enjoyable read

The storyline is not to graphic but it's interesting plus I like the characters. The narrator is easy to listen too.

Really engaged with characters and story

This is a new author to me and I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the series and will be reading the remaining novels.

I loved the dynamic between Paul, the detective investigating a murder and Cliff, the manager of the hotel where the murder took place.
I liked the fact that the romance didn't take precedence over the who-dun-it but we were still able to see the attraction build between Paul and Cliff.
I also enjoyed Kale Williams narrating and could always tell who was saying what to whom.

Interesting Story

The concept is interesting and well written. The characters are likeable and the narration is good.

Gripping

Loved it . Jake Williams narrated the story very well. Brilliant start to series keeps you thinking throughout the story

Loved this!

Loved this story and the wonderful narration by Kale Williams.
Great writing and romance from this 'new-to-me author'. I guessed who the murderer was early on but that didn't detract from the overall story.